Her Commanders - M.K. Eidem Page 0,79

into his line of sight.

Taarig's eyes narrowed as he recognized the Elevsìs male that had full access to Cali's quarters. It still made his blood boil even though he and Jamis had agreed not to have a relationship with her. "What business did you have coming here tonight, Elevsìs?"

"I found out some information concerning the explosion. I wanted to inform the Commander."

"That doesn't explain how you were able to gain access to the Commander’s office and quarters?" Taarig demanded, moving to stand as more of his strength returned.

"I pressed my hand against the panel, Sub Commander," Xanto said drily, "and the door opened."

Confusion teased Taarig's senses because he knew that shouldn't be possible, but he didn't comment. Instead, he looked to the Meddyg. "Why hasn't the antidote worked on the Commander yet?"

"My readings show he ingested a larger amount of venom than you, Sub Commander."

"Ingested?" Taarig's eyebrows drew together, a light trying to shine in his still hazy memory. Before Taarig could question Ra further, Jamis groaned, and all attention turned to him.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Xanto silently watched the Commander lift a hand and rub his newly-healed throat. Cali had healed him so completely that Xanto was the only one who noticed the four pinprick scars left from the viper's bite. He watched as the Lead Meddyg assisted Jamis with a glass of water and repeat what he had told the Sub Commander regarding the fact they'd both ingested Sion Viper venom.

"How?!" Jamis demanded, swinging his legs over the side of the bed as he sat up.

"It appears to have been in your glasses of skotsk, Commander," the Meddyg informed him. "When we tested the bottle, there was no venom."

"In the glasses… Tecumseh!" he growled, his gaze searching the room for her as he stood. Finding her restrained and unconscious in a corner, he looked to Taarig. "You?"

"No, it was Pandit Xanto." Taarig gestured to where he stood.

Jamis took in the Elevsìs male. "You are an acquaintance of Cali's."

"Of her family, yes," Xanto told him, not commenting on his casual use of Cali's name.

"What brought you to my quarters, and how did you enter?" Jamis’s tone started calm and controlled but ended on a deadly growl.

"I came into some information concerning the explosion outside The Brink that I thought you should know," Xanto replied, unfazed by Jamis’s outburst. After all, he regularly dealt with the Paramount. "As for entering your quarters, as I explained to Sub Commander Ynn, the door opened when I placed my hand on the panel. I assumed you had granted me entry, so I entered. When you weren't in your outer office, I went in search of you. The state of your living quarters caused me concern, so I continued into your resting chamber. I was instantly attacked, so I defended myself." Xanto looked to the Si female. "When I realized you and the Sub Commander were in distress, I immediately contacted the Meddygs then restrained who I believed responsible."

With a snarl, Jamis pulled on the pants Taarig handed him and then the shirt. "Move her into my office. I'll interrogate her there. Don't revive her until I get there."

"Yes, Star Base Commander." Ra nodded to his assistants, and Xanto followed them as they carried the female out.

Jamis waited until the door closed before releasing his rage. "What the ruk happened, Taarig?!!"

The last thing he remembered was swallowing the glass of skotsk Tecumseh had handed him in one gulp. It had had a strange taste, but he'd attributed that to it being warm, not something sinister. Now he knew better. It was poisoned. He wanted answers, and he wanted them now!

"You expect me to know?" Taarig gave him a disgusted look before scanning the floor for his shirt. "My skotsk was poisoned too, although I never finished it."

"Why?"

"I don't know. I remember it tasted funny, but my entire body went numb before I could say anything, and I blacked out. Where the ruk is my shirt?!"

"Just wear your jacket," Jamis told him, pulling on his own. "I want to know why this rukking bitch tried to kill us."

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Xanto leaned against a wall as two Meddygs secured the Si female in a chair in front of the Commander's desk. The female was still unconscious; her head slumped to the side at an uncomfortable angle. Xanto was beginning to wonder what Cali had done to her. The Paramount was able to immobilize a being, so he was the only one able to revive